Foot covering package



May 23, 1961 J. c. BERRY EI'AL FOOT COVERING PACKAGE Filed June 1, 1956 v INVENTORS JoH/v C. BERRY WILL/AM J. EEK/er yaw FOOT COVERING PACKAGE John C. Berry and William J. Berry, both of Box 946, Durham, N.C.

Filed June 1, 1956, Ser. No. 588,894

2 Claims. (Cl. 206-79) The present invention relates to packages, and more particularly to foot covering packages containing footlets of the type known as peds.

Footlets have been in wide use by ladies for many years, and are worn in lieu of hosiery and other stockings. Such footlets normally consist of a toe portion and a heel portion united to one another by a sole or partial foot portion, with the perimetral edge of the footlet more or less conforming to the perimetral edge of the shoe, thus engaging the wearers foot only around that portion of the foot to be engaged by the shoe.

Footlets, due to their small size and shape, have not been capable of being marketed in the same manner as stockings or other forms of hosiery. Rather, the normal practice heretofore has been to market the footlet coverings either in small boxes or tubes in which the footlets are wrapped or rolled and placed therein.

This form of marketing possesses several disadvantages, a principal one being the inability of the customer to visualize the fitting or shape of the footlet when in stretched, wearing condition without opening the package and actually trying the footlet on. This is particularly undesirable since in recent years footlets have been made in stretched form wherein one footlet size will encompass several foot sizes. Another disadvantage from a standpoint of retail is that packing in small boxes or tubes presents a problem of storage and maintenance of proper stock inventory. Moreover, the form of marketing employed heretofore makes it impossible to present an attractive display of the footlets in a manner inviting the customers attention. This oftentimes results in loss of sales as well as inconvenience to the customer who may desire to purchase one or more pairs of footlets but forgot to do so, since there was no visual attraction refreshing his memory.

It has been found that these foregoing and related dis advantages can be eliminated by the provision of a footlet covering package in which two footlets are applied over a single, flat, cardboard insert by which a complete pair of footlets will be retained thereon in a fairly rigid state, which will permit the retailer to market footlet packages in the same manner as conventional hoisery which will present a visual presentation to the wearer on how the footlets will appear in worn condition prior to purchasing same.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a package that will present a pleasing appearance to a customer and will permit him to visualize prior to purchase how the footlets will appear in wearing condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 'afootlet covering package that can be marketed in the same manner as ordinary hosiery.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a footlet covering package that will permit a full display of the footlets to the customer in a very small area.

Another object of the present invention is the provisio nited States Patent i Patented May 23, 1961 of a footlet covering package that will permit a retailer to maintain a full complement of footlet coverings in a neat manner, and will permit visual display thereof.

Other and additional objects will become manifest from the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Broadly stated, the footlet package of the present invention comprises a flat insert, a first footlet covering carried by said insert, and a second footlet covering carried by said first footlet and said insert.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invent-ion then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings, and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in the carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but certain of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front view of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the footlet covering package shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of a modified form of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present invention in which only the toe and heel portions of the footlets are in enveloping relation with one another.

Figure 4 is another modified form of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the form of footlet covering package shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a front view of still another modified form of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an illustrative embodiment of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present invention and generally designated by reference numeral 10 is shown. The footlet covering package 10 comprises a flat, oblong strip insert or board 11 of sheet material made preferably from cardboard, chipboard, or related paper-like material. The insert 11 is of a weight and strength sufficient to support the footlets in a flat position and yet retain its rigidity and original configuration when the footlets are placed thereon and still possess a certain degree of flexibility.

In the form of the footlet covering package 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the insert 11 possesses a somewhat rectangular configuration with the heel portion being relatively square, and the toe portion being somewhat rounded and slightly pointed. The insert 11 has side edges 12 and 13 spaced from and substantially parallel to one another. The side edges 12 and 13 are connected to one another at one end thereof by a rear edge which lies substantially transverse with respect to the side edges 12 and 13, but being rounded at the point of jointure with the side edges 12 and 13, thereby forming a heel portion. The opposite ends of the side edges 12 and 13 are connected to one another by a rounded front edge, forming a toe portion therewith. The insert 11 must be of a length at least sufficient to fully support the footlets in a slightly tensioned flat state. Similarly, the width of the insert 11 must be sufficient to place the footlet covering in a flat, slightly tensioned state when placed thereon to facilitate the forming of the package 10 as well as insuring the positive retention of the footlets thereon in their desired state.

The insert 11 is positioned with a first footlet 14, with the heel portion and the toe portion of the insert 11 supporting and engaging the corresponding parts of the footlet 14. This construction will result in the first footlet 14 being held in a flat, extended, and slightly tensioned state, with the sole portion of the first footlet 14 lying against a flat face of the insert 11 in a slightly tensioned state. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the insert 11 carrying the first footlet 14 is positioned within a second or mating footlet 15 in the same manner as the insert 11 was positioned within the first footlet 14. In this operation, the toe portion, the heel portion, and the sole portion of the second footlet 15 will completely overlie or envelope the corresponding parts of the first footlet 14. This construction results in a flat footlet covering package 10 providing a pair of footlets in a flat, supported, laid out and slightly tensioned state, and which will present the footlet coverings in a state similar to that when worn and provide for their shipping, stocking, and merchandising without the disadvantages heretofore encountered.

It will be found desirable to provide protective means for the footlet covering package 10 which will also facilitate the displaying of the footlet coverings as well as eliminating soilage and the like. To accomplish this, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the package 10 is inserted within a transparent, flexible wrapper 16 made from cellophane or similar material. It is preferred that the wrapper 16 be of the same general configuration of the package 10 but slightly oversized with respect thereto. The wrapper 16 may be secured in any suitable manner such as, for example, gluing, heat sealing, or the like, of the parts thereof, depending upon the material used. It is to be clearly understood that the footlet package 10 can be marketed equally as well without the transparent wrapper 16.

As is seen from Figs. 1 and 2, a considerable portion of the insert 11 on one face thereof is not in engagement with the footlets 14 and 15. This uncovered area of the insert 11 may be attractively colored and have printed thereon any desired advertising media, trademark, or like information. This will eliminate the necessity for any rider or other tags or the like which would contain such identifying information.

Reference is now to be had to Fig. 3 wherein another form of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present invention is shown. In this form of the invention, the insert 11 is identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Similarly, the first footlet 14 is positioned on the insert 11 in the same manner described in connection with the package shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, to position the second footlet 15 on the insert 11 carrying the first footlet 14, the second footlet 15 is secured in a reverse manner. In this reverse operation, the toe portion and heel portion of the second footlet 15 are applied over the corresponding parts of the first footlet 14 in enveloping relationship therewith. However, contrary to the package shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sole portion of the second footlet 15 is in flat, slightly tensioned engagement with the fiat face of the insert 11 opposite to the face which is in engagement with the sole portion of the first footlet portion. In this form of the footlet covering package 10 shown in Fig. 3, the toe and heel portions of the first and second footlets 14 and 15 are the only portions of the footlets in enveloping rela tion, with the sole portions of the respective footlets being free from contact with one another but in engagement with opposite faces of the insert 11.

The form of footlet covering package shown in Fig. 3 is without a cellophane wrapper. However, it is to be clearly understood that a wrapper similar to that shown in connection with the form of Figs. 1 and 2 may be employed. In the form of the footlet covering package shown in Fig. 3, the elimination of an uncovered portion of the insert 11 may necessitate the addition of a rider or the like, or other identifying material, to the footlet covering package.

Reference isnow to be had to Figs. 4 and 5 wherein another form of a footlet covering pack-age made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by reference numeral 20. The footlet package 20 comprises an insert 21 which may be made from the identical material as that hereinbefore described in connection with the insert 11 of Figs. 1 through 3. The insert 21 possesses a configuration generally resembling the symmetrical outline of the sole portion of a foot in which the rounded or pointed toe portion and the rounded heel portion are united to one another by inwardly curved side edges 22 and 23.

The length of the. insert 21 would more or less correspond to the length of the insert 11 shown in Figs. 1 through 3, but the width of the insert 21 will be somewhat less due to the particular configuration. The change in configuration still permits the formation of the desired footlet covering package 20 with each of the footlets being held in the same position, although in somewhat of a more elongated form.

The insert 21 is positioned within the first footlet 14 in the samemanner as hereinbefore described in connection with the form of package shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the toe and heel portions being held in a flat, slightly tensioned state on the corresponding parts of the insert 21 with the sole portion ofthe footlet 14 resting snugly in a tensioned state against one face of the insert 21. As shown in Fig. 4, the footlets are in a somewhat more elongated relationship with respect to insert 21 than in the form shown in Figs. 1 through 3. Similarly, the insert 21 carrying the first footlet 14,is inserted within the second footlet 15 in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the form of. the package shown in Figs. 1 through 3. This operation results in the formation of the footlet covering package 20 in which two footlets, one enveloping the other, are supported on and carried by an insert 21 in a flat, slightly tensioned state.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the footlet covering package 20 likewise may be inserted within a transparent wrapper 16 in the manner as hereinbefore described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. However, it is to be clearly understood that the footlet covering package 20 will perform its intended function equally as well without the wrapper 16 present, but in many instances, from a commercial marketing standpoint the wrapper 16 is preferred. Similarly, in the form of the package shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a portion of the insert 21 is uncovered and may be provided with advertising indicia or other information in the same manner as that described hereinbefore in connection with the form of the package shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is to be further understood that the form of the package shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be made in the manner of the form of the package shown in Fig. 3, in which the sole portion of each of the footlets 14 and 15 is in engagement with the opposite face of the insert 21, with'only the toe and heel portions of each footlet being in enveloping relationship with one another.

Reference is now to be. had to Fig. 6 wherein another form of a footlet covering package made in accordance with the present inventionand generally designated by reference numeral 30 is illustrated. The footlet package 30 comprises an insert 31 which may be made from the identical material as that hereinbefore described in connection with the insert 11 and insert 21 of Figs. 1 through 5. The insert 31 consists of a flat strip of cardboard or other material as hereinbefore indicated, and possesses a kidney or canoe shaped configuration having curved side edges 32 and 33 joined to one anotherat each end by similar rounded end edges. The length of the insert 31 will be generally the same as that of inserts 11 and 21, but the width will be somewhat less than in the other forms since the curvature of the insert as well as. the particular arrangement of the footlets will permit their retention thereon in a flat, somewhat tensioned state.

The insert 31 is inserted into a first footlet 14 with the toe portion and heel portion of the footlet 14 each en- WI-Wu gaging the opposite face of each of the end portions of the insert 31. This operation will result also in the sole portion of the footlet 14 likewise engaging the opposite face of the insert 31 such that the front and rear views of the insert and the footlet will be identical. The insert 31 carrying the first footlet 14 is inserted in the second footlet 15, with the second footlet completely enveloping the entire footlet 14. This operation similarly produces a footlet package 30 in which the footlets 14 and 15 are held in enveloping relationship with respect to one another and the insert 31.

The form of footlet covering package shown in Fig. 6 is without a cellophane wrapper. However, it is to be clearly understood that a wrapper such as that shown in connection with either of the forms of footlet package shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 4 and 5 may be employed. It is to be noted that in the form of the footlet package 30 shown in Fig. 6, a portion of the insert 31 is uncovered, thereby permitting any desired indicia or other advertising information or the like to be placed thereon.

We claim:

1. A footlet package comprising a flat, substantially stifi, strip insert, a first footlet carried by said insert in a flat, slightly tensioned state, and a second footlet carried by said insert and said first footlet in a flat, slightly 6 tensioned state with only the toe and heel portions of said second footlet being in enveloping relationship with at least the toe and heel portions of said first footlet.

2. A footlet package comprising a flat, substantially stiff, strip insert, said insert having toe and heel portions at the opposite end thereof, a first footlet carried by said insert in a flat, slightly tensioned state with the toe and heel portions of said first footlet enveloping the toe and heel portions of said insert and the connecting sole portion of said first footlet engaging the long face of said insert, and a second footlet carried by said insert and said first footlet in a flat, slightly tensioned state with only the toe and heel portions of said second footlet being in enveloping relationship with only the toe and heel portions of said first footlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,727,586 Condon Sept. 10, 1929 1,936,064 Mills Nov. 21, 1933 2,533,051 Saunders Dec. 5, 1950 2,696,295 Berry Dec. 7, 1954 2,742,149 Berry Apr. 17, 1956 

